This phase involves filling out questionnaires and visiting your family doctor and nephrologist. You will have blood, urine and diagnostic tests to assess your health. You will be led through the process by the Living Donor Coordinator.
Living donor coordinator
A donor coordinator acts as your advocate and will guide you through the workup process. This nurse specialist assists you with completing all the tests required for potential live kidney donor work up, including blood and 24 hour urine tests.
Visiting your family doctor
Once you have told the transplant coordinator that you want to go ahead with the donation, you will need to make an appointment with your family doctor to tell them about your plan to become a living kidney donor. Your family doctor will receive a letter outlining the testing we need them to assist you with getting completed.
The first test for compatibility is the ABO or blood typing. This can be done through by your family doctor, Canadian Blood Services card or through the donor coordinator.
Blood type compatibility guide
A donor with this blood type | Can donate to a recipient with this blood type |
| O | A, B, AB ou O |
| A | A or AB (parfois O) |
| B | B ou AB |
| AB | AB |
An O blood type donor can donate to any blood type recipient. A recipient with AB blood type can match any donor’s blood type. Women will need a pap test, a breast exam, and possibly a mammogram. Men may need a prostate exam. If you are over 50, you will need to give stool samples and possibly have a colonoscopy. You will also need a 2 step tuberculosis (TB) skin test and blood type.
In living kidney donation your positive or negative (Rh factor) is not important.
You will need to fax a copy of your blood type or Canadian Blood Services card to the donor coordinator at 613-548-1394. If you are not compatible with your recipient, you cannot do a direct donation but you may want to look into the Living Donor Paired Exchange Registry
Your Nephrologist
A donor nephrologist is a doctor who specializes in kidney donation. The nephrologist will tell you about the risks and benefits of being a kidney donor. They will act as your advocate and make sure that kidney donation does not put you at risk for serious health concerns. This appointment will involve a health history and physical exam, as well as a questionnaire for completion and follow-up diagnostic tests.
